Text-to-Speech Why consider Text-to-speech (TTS)? Two reasons - 1. It is essential for struggling readers; when text is digital it is now accessible and 2. it supports the writing process, especially when editing and revising work
Note: Our databases are adding text-to-speech features for their articles. Check out Joyce's blog post. Ask your librarian if the school offers any of the Gale products with text-to-speech features.
SpeakIt!-free for the Google Chrome browser. Supports multiple languages. Still in alpha.
ClipSpeak - a free, open source program for Windows that does not require installation (so can be run from a USB key!) Once running, just use CTRL-C to have the text read to you. Use the right CTRL key to stop. Use the right Shift+CTRL key combination to toggle on and off. Can also export the selected text as an MP3 file.
WordTalk - a free text-to-speech program for the PC that works within WORD and Outlook and highlights each word that is read. Includes a talking spell checker and a talking thesaurus. WordTalk was upgraded in January 2009 and now includes the ability to save, and you can convert your text file to a wav or MP3 file. Makes this free download even more valuable. (Seems to be trickier with Office 2010 and Vista or Windows 7)
Natural Reader - another free text-to-speech software program which converts any written text to speech (Word, pdf, websites, emails)
Fox Vox - a free Firefox extension, highlight the text, right click and choose Speak Selected Text
Click,Speak - a free Firefox extension that reads the Internet and highlights phrases and sentences as it reads
SpeakingFox - a free Firefox extension for the Mac which converts text in Firefox to audio
DSpeech- scroll down for a very cool free text-to-speech AND speech-to-text tool. PC only
Balabolka- Free text-to-speech download, can also download a portable version that runs off a USB thumb drive.can save as wav or MP3 file.
PowerTalk - free text-to-speech for PowerPoint presentations
Read The Words - Register first, upload file or choose text or website to read, a recording is generated which you can listen to online or download to an mp3 player, upload to a blog, etc. Very Cool tool worth letting your students explore.
YakIToMe! - Listen to important documents, PowerPoint presentations, emails, RSS feeds, blogs and novels. YAKiToMe! is multi-lingual (English, Spanish, French ...) and brings you the world's best text-to-speech (TTS) synthesis technologies. Easily converts to podcasts.
ReadPlease- there is a free version and a pay version.
Odiogo- free text to speech for your blog (turn your blog into a podcast)
Voki - a free program that allows educators and students to create and share online avatars using text-to-speech technology. Voki works from any browser and anyone can place a voki in a blog, website, or send in an email. Voki is being relaunched now (late 2010) and is offering more tools for educators.
If your student has an iPodTouch or iPhone show them
Why consider Text-to-speech (TTS)? Two reasons -
1. It is essential for struggling readers; when text is digital it is now accessible and
2. it supports the writing process, especially when editing and revising work
Note: Our databases are adding text-to-speech features for their articles. Check out Joyce's blog post. Ask your librarian if the school offers any of the Gale products with text-to-speech features.
If your student has an iPodTouch or iPhone show them
Free Speech-to-Text